Placing an internally pipped egg under a broody?

[hollandhens24]

I have a broody hen who was doing a great job until she wasn't. I found her in the box next to the nest she had occupied the whole duration and, since we were leaving for two days, transferred the eggs to the incubator to ensure they weren't abandoned. I think that she just got bullied into moving one box over while another hen laid, as she has since returned to the original nest. One egg is internally pipped in the incubator and, should it hatch successfully, will be a singleton chick as I didn't have any other survivors. The hen is still broody, would it be best to slip the egg under her before it has externally pipped, or should I allow the chick to hatch and then try to graft to the hen? I have never hatched with a broody before and none of my chickens have ever raised babies. TIA!

 

[Pigeony]

I have a broody hen who was doing a great job until she wasn't. I found her in the box next to the nest she had occupied the whole duration and, since we were leaving for two days, transferred the eggs to the incubator to ensure they weren't abandoned. I think that she just got bullied into moving one box over while another hen laid, as she has since returned to the original nest. One egg is internally pipped in the incubator and, should it hatch successfully, will be a singleton chick as I didn't have any other survivors. The hen is still broody, would it be best to slip the egg under her before it has externally pipped, or should I allow the chick to hatch and then try to graft to the hen? I have never hatched with a broody before and none of my chickens have ever raised babies. TIA!

I think allowing the chick to hatch and graft is safer. Give her the chick on the night it hatches, make sure she doesn't see it before you slip it under her and take any of her eggs. Block her and the chick off in some way so other hens can't disturb, or move the hen and nest beforehand if possible. Give them at least a full day to bond, but probably leave hen and chick confined for 1-3 days.

 

[hollandhens24]

I think allowing the chick to hatch and graft is safer. Give her the chick on the night it hatches, make sure she doesn't see it before you slip it under her and take any of her eggs. Block her and the chick off in some way so other hens can't disturb, or move the hen and nest beforehand if possible. Give them at least a full day to bond, but probably leave hen and chick confined for 1-3 days.

Thank you! I was planning on putting the hen and chick in a dog kennel in the coop for a few days once the chick hatched before allowing her to resume normal flock activities and nest wherever she wants. Would it be safe to place the hen in there for the time being or do I risk breaking her of being broody, as this is how I’ve broken hens of it in the past?

 

[Pigeony]

Thank you! I was planning on putting the hen and chick in a dog kennel in the coop for a few days once the chick hatched before allowing her to resume normal flock activities and nest wherever she wants. Would it be safe to place the hen in there for the time being or do I risk breaking her of being broody, as this is how I’ve broken hens of it in the past?

It depends, can she be moved with her nest intact? If she's nesting in something that can be put in the dog crate, if you're careful she can likely be moved beforehand. If not, then just try to limit the access of other hens when you give her the baby and make sure she and the baby get at least 12-24 hours of bonding time before you attempt to move them.

 

[hollandhens24]

It depends, can she be moved with her nest intact? If she's nesting in something that can be put in the dog crate, if you're careful she can likely be moved beforehand. If not, then just try to limit the access of other hens when you give her the baby and make sure she and the baby get at least 12-24 hours of bonding time before you attempt to move them.

I appreciate all of this information, thank you very much!